Automatic batt packer and method of packing

ABSTRACT

A method of compressing batts into a bale size load in a compression packer machine that has a bottom press plate at one end of a loading chamber, a top frame portion at the opposite end of the chamber, a vertically reciprocal movable press plate assembly that includes a movable press plate extendable generally horizontally longitudinally across the chamber and retractable out of the chamber, a vertically reciprocal precompression assembly that includes precompression fingers extendable generally horizontally longitudinally across the chamber and retractable out of the chamber, and a ram assembly for moving compressed batts out of the chamber wherein a first series of uncompressed batts are successively conveyed into the loading chamber to be supportingly carried by the movable press plate as it is indexed vertically downwardly in the chamber; next the precompression fingers are moved into the chamber between the first series of batts and the top portion and as a second series of batts are successively conveyed into the chamber to be supportingly carried by the fingers, index the movable press plate and fingers downwardly and retract the movable press plate when it is adjacent the bottom press plate whereby the first series is precompressed between the bottom press plate and fingers; thence moving the movable press plate into the chamber between the second series and the top frame portion, successively conveying a third series of batts onto the movable press plate to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the movable press plate downwardly to compress the first and second series and retracting the fingers from between the first and second series. The last mentioned indexing movement is stopped for a dwell period when the first and second series are fully compressed and the ram assembly ejects the fully compressed first and second series from the loading chamber. A conveyor conveys the batts into the loading chamber adjacent the top frame portion.

United States Patent Conner et al.

l l AUTOMATIC BATT PACKER AND METHOD OF PACKING [75] Inventors: Joseph R. Conner; George E.

Mayer; Thomas F. Shovlin, all of Minneapolis, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Bemis Company, Inc., Minneapolis,

Minn.

221 Filed: May 25, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 363,964

[52] US. Cl 100/35, 100/l79 [5 l] Int. Cl 83Gb 1/32 [58] Field of Search IOU/35, 49, ZlS, 218, 226, l00/240, 245; 53/24, l24 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1601.040 8/l97l Stcinherg [00/179 Primary E.\'umt'ncrHarvey C. Hornsby Asxirtunt Examiner-Robert Pons Attorney; Agent. or Firm-Dugger, Johnson & Westman [57] ABSTRACT A method of compressing batts into a bale size load in a compression packer machine that has a bottom press plate at one end of a loading chamber, a top frame portion at the opposite end of the chamber, a vertically reciprocal movable press plate assembly that includes a movable press plate extendable generally hor- Apr. 1,1975

izontally longitudinally across the chamber and retractable out of the chamber, a vertically reciprocal precompression assembly that includes precompression fingers extendable generally horizontally longitudinally across the chamber and retractable out of the chamber, and a ram assembly for moving compressed batts out of the chamber wherein a first series of uncompressed batts are successively conveyed into the loading chamber to be supportingly carried by the movable press plate as it is indexed vertically downwardly in the chamber; next the precompression fingers are moved into the chamber between the first series of batts and the top portion and as a second series of batts are successively conveyed into the chamber to be supportingly carried by the fingers, index the movable press plate and fingers downwardly and retract the movable press plate when it is adjacent the bottom press plate whereby the first series is precompressed between the bottom press plate and fingers; thence moving the movable press plate into the chamber between the second series and the top frame portion. successively conveying a third series of batts onto the movable press plate to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the movable press plate downwardly to compress the first and second series and retracting the fingers from between the first and second series. The last mentioned indexing movement is stopped for a dwell period when the first and second series are fully compressed and the ram assembly ejects the fully compressed first and second series from the loading chamber. A conveyor conveys the batts into the loading chamber adjacent the top frame portion.

24 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures F l l PATENTED I I975 sum 1 [IF 4 START FULL LORD IN CHPIMBER READY FOR COMPRE$$ION STEP I PRESS PLPITE MOVES DOWN IN STEPS TO QOMPRESS PREVIOUS LORD AND HAVE FIRST HALF OF NEXT LORD COLLECTED THERE ABOVE- PRECOMPRESSOR FINGERS MOVE OUT ST E? G PRESE PLHTE MOVES UP- PRECOMPRE$SOR FINGER-'5 CONTINUE TO MOVE DOWN IN STEPS STEP 7 PRESS PLPITE UP FIND NIMTING- WHEN LQET BPTT OF SECOND HALF OF NEXT LORD ENTERS CHAMBER, PREOOMPRESSOR FINGERS MOVE DOWN TO T\'IE\R BOTTOM POSITION STEP 8 PREOOMPRE5$OR FINGERS DOM-IN FIND \AINTING PRESS PLPITE MOVES IN :PRECOMPRESSOR FINGERS MOVE IN STEP 3 PREVIOUS LOPID E0 ECTED STEP 5 PRECOMPREESOR FINGERS MOVE OUT- APPARATUS PT STFIRT POSITION STEP 4 PRESS PLRTE MOVES DONN TO BOTTOM OF CHRMBER' PRECOMPRESSOR FINGERS MOVE DOWN IN STEPSTO COMPRESS FIRST HPILF OF NEXT La) AND HI'NE SECOND HALF OF NEXT LON) COLLECTED ONTO? THERE 0F STEP 5 PRESS PLPITE MOVES 00T- PRE comPRzssoR FINGERS commua TO MOVE DouN IN STEPS FIE: .Z

PATENTEU W 11975 saw 2 or 4 mum-N KK PATENTEDAPR' 1 ms sum 3 of 4 PATENTEUAPR' 1 1% sum u o Mill-[Jil AUTOMATIC BATT PACKICR AND METHOD OF PACKING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A method of first preeompressing about a half load of baits and thence compressing a full load of batts that includes the half load to obtain a fully compressed bale load.

In the prior art. it is old to use a compression packer that utili/es precompression fingers and a vertically reciprocal press plate for first precompressing a partial load of butts and then fully compress a full load of batts. for example. see US. Pat. No. 3.6()l.()4(). granted Aug 24. l97l. However. with such prior art apparatus. first the loading chamber is loaded with a first series of baits which are precompressed and then after the precompression step a second series of batts is loaded and thereafter the movable press plate is moved to fully compress both series, the batts being loaded from the bottom up. Asa result. during the time that each of the precompression and movable press plate assemblies are being moved downwardly and the ram assembly is being operated during the compressed batt load ejection step. time delays are encountered during which no loading of batts into the chamber is taking place. In order to overcome problems such as the aboie. as well as others. this invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF 'I'HE INVENTION A method of compressing hatts in a compression packer which includes loading a second series of batts onto precompression fingers while the fingers are precompressing a first series of batts. loading a third series of batts onto a press plate while the press plate is comressing the first and second series of batts. and ejecting the fully compressed II rst and second series of batts during the period of time that at least a majority of the third series is on the press plate.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and novel method of compressing batts to decrease the time for completing a cycle for compressing a bale load of batts. Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel method of compressing batts wherein some batts are progressively being further compressed in a loading chamber while others are being conveyed into the loading chamber. An additional object of this invention is to provide a new and novel method of compressing batts in a loading chambcr wherein a first plurality of batts are being compressed by a batt compressing member being indexed downwardly as additional batts are conveyed one by one into the top part of the loading chamber to be supportingly carried by the compressing member as it is moved downwardly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a diagrammatic illustration of the steps of this invention for compressing a plurality of batts into a bale;

FIG. 2 is a front view of apparatus suitable for carrying out the method of this invention. portions of the apparatus being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a side view ofthe apparatus of FIG. 2, vertically intermediate and longitudinally intermediate portions of the frame forming the loading chamber and longitudinally intermediate portions of the precomprcssion finger and movable press plate assemblies being broken away.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the apparatus wherein the press plate assembly is at its maximum elevation in an extended position. and the precompression finger assembly is at its lowermost elevation. in a re tracted position in the predominently solid line showing. and the precompression finger assembly is at its maximum elevation and the press plate assembly is at its load eject position in the predominently dotted line showing:

FIG. 5 illustrates the relative positions of the press plate and precompression finger assemblies at a time in a load compressing cycle subsequent to the positions indicated by FIG. 4. and subsequent to a compressed load having been ejected from the loading chamber. both of the assemblies being in their extended positions;

FIG. 6 illustrates relative positions of the press plate and precompression finger assemblies in a load compressing cycle at a time subsequent to that shown in FIG. 5: and

FIG. 7 illustrates the relative positions of the press plate and precompression finger assemblies in a load compressing cycle at a time subsequent to that indi cated in FIG. 6 and prior to that of FIG. 4.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3. there will now be described apparatus suitable for carrying out the method ofthis invention. said apparatus including a compression packer unit frame generally desig nated II. The frame II includes a stationary bottom press plate I2. a top frame portion IS. left and right side plates I3 and I4 respectively extending vertically between the bottom press plate and frame portion IS, a vertical rear plate I6 extending transversely between the side plates and having a bottom edge adjacent the bottom press plate. and a plurality of transversely horizontally spaced. vertical bars I7 extending between the rear plate and the top frame portion. Bars I7 and plate 16 form a back wall. Members I2-I7 are joined to gether to form a loading chamber. the terminology loading chamber referring to the space vertically between the top frame portion IS and the bottom press plate I2. transversely between plates I3. I4; and longitudinally between the front surface of the rear plate I6 and bars 17, and the front opening that in part is defined by the front edge portions of the side plates and bottom press plate. The lower portion of left side plate I3 is provided with a discharge opening 20 that opens to a discharge chute 21 that is mounted on plate I3 to extend outwardly thereof. the lower edge of opening 20 being at the elevation of the adjacent edge of the bottom press plate. Transversely opposite the discharge opening. the right side plate is provided with a ram opening 22; the ram opening and the discharge opening each being of a size to have a ram 23 move therethrough for moving a compressed bale completely out of the loading chamber and into the discharge chute 21. A piston rod 24 of the piston-cylinder combination 24. 25 is connected to the ram and operated by a cylinder 25 for moving the ram from a datum position of FIG. 2 blocking the opening 22 to a position to the left thereof for having pushed the compressed bale load of batts through the opening 20 into chute 21. The cylinder is mounted by a frame member 26 of frame 11.

Mounted on the frame II is a movable press plate assembly, generally designated 30, that includes a pair of plslotrcylindci tonilnnatlons inn uni cylinders 31 mounted on the tiarne portion to e\leltd thereaboi e ind piston rods 32 that are connected to the subtrame 33 lit the caiiiage (7 liten though the subl'rpune is illushated as being box shaped open at longitudinally oppo sitt ends; it l-l to be understood that it may be ol any suitable construction the rear portion ot' the subi'rame mounts a pair oi transiersciy spaced, upper brackets 35. and .t pair ol trtuiswrsely spaced iower brackets 35. the brackets on the Eet't side rotatabl mounting wheels 36 ltal are located in a tract, 37 that in turn is mounted by the let t side plate. Similarly. the right side brackets 35 iotatably mount wheets that are located in a out i\ 37 titolnited on the right side plate the top por tit n 33a ot the sublrame dependingly mounts a pluralty l lugs 41 \\ltlclt in turn mount a plurality ol trans" \ei ely elongated rollers 41 that are in longitudinally spaced relationship to one another The subt'rame bot.- tom portion 33b mounts a plurality oi upwardly cstend ing lugs 44 which in turn mount a plurality ot trans" erse? elongated ro ler i3 lht' rollers 43 being longr totitnallt spaced from one another Rollers 42. 43 are mounted tor rotation about paiaiiei transverse axes.

Supported by the oilet s il -33 and Et'icated between relitt .tii i adtaeent pans ot rollers 42 and rollers 43 to tinntl parailet to the tr p stli'laee ot the bottom press plate is a movable press plate 45. ihe press plate 45 is ot a iian aerse itulth to e .tend substantially the entire iitt 't\\Ll L distance between the inner vertical surfaces or the side press platts, and ot a substantially longer longitudinal length than the distance l'roin the inner ulluee ol the back wall loimed by bars 17 and plate to and the trout opening ol the loadiny chamber, lhat is. the lu -tilde prtss plan is ot a longitudinal length such that when i s rear edge is closely 'ldiaeent the l tttl's Mall the l'rool end portion ol the press plate will be sup ported in a stillit'rent number ot [lie rollers 42. 43 to retmi the bottom sortace with; press plate 45 in sub winzlilttllt paiaiiel relationship to the top surface ol' bot tom press plate 12. turther. there are protided sull i cient number ot rollers that are properly spaced to re rant the mo. able presspiate in a position that its bottom itilittcL is substantially parallel t the bottom press pit a; lt'i ilit u the rnotilblt' press plat-e is moved to its i u'lit ls tell position that its rear edge is t'oiwardly ot' the hail ng chamber. Aeeorthngiy the sublrame mounts a n ta le press plate to longitudinal reciprocal 12loveinent betvieen us L stended and retracted positions nhzle retaining the ottom surt'aee otthe movable press plate generally parallel to the bottom ress plateand due to the print-iron ot the track 37 the wheels 36 and is the sublranie. tugs and rollers 42 43. the root abte p s late has its bottom surhtee retained pa tially paiaiiel to the bottom press plate 12 as the at .2? le in rune l'rorn a position that the movable press is at its inasimtnu eletation just a short distance the toy t'ixnne portion and a position that the mo -able ress piate at an elevation ioseiy adjacent t l-e not above the bottom press plate lfdesired, addintir El liraelsets and iollets may be mounted by subtively to aid in retaining the uhtialne in proper di d relationship with the load lug li.nnl-t'r as the saint-ante i mined between its etc-- a ed and limeied positions. tfyllntiers 47 ot piston e; hatter eonilnnatlons 4T 4t lare mounted by the sub tr one to mote therewith and to tried positions relatiie tonne and track tespt tit l thcieto while the piston rods 48 are connected to the press plate by brackets 49 to more the press plate between its extended and retracted positionsv Mounted on the lrame H. is preeompression linger assembly. generally designated 52. Since the construction ol the preeompres on assembly is generally ol a eomentional construction and has been described in US Pat No 3.6011140 to which reference may be made it will only l e brielly described herein the as" sembly 53 includes a pistoineombination having a generally \crtieal cylinder 53 mounted by a irame member 54 and a piston rod 55 slidably extended through an ap propriate aperture in lrame member 54. The lrame niembei S4 is mounted on top trame portion 15 to extend rearwardly thereot'v 'lhe piston rod 55 is attached to a vertically movable subtrame 56 which in turn mounts a carriage 57 for longitudinal moiement. The carriage mounts a plurality ot transversely spaced. loir gitudinally elongated. rigid lingers 58 to extend t'orwardly thereof and to be moved therewith the lingers being spaced so as to be extendable between the bars 1?. Suitable roilers tnot shown) are mounted by a subtiame 5b to have the fingers extend therebetween to aid in retaining the lingers substantially parallel to the bottom press plate The fingers are longitudinally mov able by the carriage between a retracted position that their forward ends are just rearwardly ot' the t'ront surt'ace ol the back wall l6 l7 and a forward extended position that the lingers are closely adjacent the from opening ot' the loading chamber: Further. the lingers are mounted by carriage 57 and sublrame 56 lor verti cal niotement between a position a short distance \erti cally beneath the top lrame portion in its maximum eleyateil position tsee dotted line position of HG. 4t and a towered position (solid line position of FILL 4] sill stantially above the elevation Ultltt) top edge ol the ram 23. Rollers 59 are mounted by t'orward end portions ot the subi'rame 56 to extend into generally vertically tracks (at) that are secured to the side press plates I3, I 4 respectively. whereby the subt'ramc 56 and carriage 57 support the lingers to extend generally perpendicu iar to the trout surface ol the back wall and parallel to the bottom plate top surface The motor 6| is mounted on the subt'rame 56 to move therewith and is connected through a drive chain and sprockets (not shown) to the carriage 57 to reciprocate the carriage between a posi tion the finger front end portions are just rearwardly ot' the t'ront surface of the back wall and a position closely adjacent the front opening to the loading chamber.

A conveyor 66, which may have its front end portion mounted by frame II. is provided for conveying batts (17 to be discharged through the compression packer tront opening into the loading chamber at an elevation between the press plate 45 at its maximum elevation t see FIG. 7| and the top t'rame portion 15. A suitable counter 68. for example a photoelectric unit is mounted adjacent the conveyor for ascertaining the eonveyence oleach bait into the loading chamber The counter 68 is connected to suitable control mechanism it) which also automatically controls the movement and operation of the moxable press plate assembly the pret-tmipression assembly and the rain assembly in a manner set torth hereinafter.

Suitable apparatus for carrying out the method of this invention having been described the method will now be set lorthi For purposes ot" facilitating the description of the method ol this invention. it will be assumed that the movable press plate assembly is in its uppermost vertical. generally solid line position of FIG. 4 wherein the press plate has been moved to extended position to extend across the loading chamber just below the conveyor; that the precompression assembly 52 is in its lowermost. retracted. generally solid line position of FIG. I. and the ram in its datum position of H6. 2. The precompression assembly in its lowermost position is at an elevation to be spaced from the top surface of the bottom press plate by a distance that is about twice the heighth of the ram opening 22. Further. it will be assumed that the total number of batts (designated 6711) between the movable press plate in its extended maximum elevated position and the bottom press plate is the same as that to be compressed for a single bale load. As will become more apparent hereinafter. batts 67h have already been partially compressed. Further there is a sull'icient number of batts 671: on top of the movable press plate so that the top surface of the uppermost batt is at a slight distance below the plane of the upper run ol the endless conveyor. Now as an additional uncompressed batt 67 on the endless conveyor is moved past the photoelectric eye 68 the control mechanism 6911pplies sul'l'icient quantity of fluid under pressure to the cylinders 3! (or moving the movable press plate downwardly (direction olthe arrow 70) a distance substantially equal to the height of the uncompressed batt on the conveyor. Further. the control mechanism applies hydraulic (laid to the cylinder 53 for retracting the piston rod 55 and thereby move the precompression assembly upwardly (direction of the arrow 71), and once actuated piston-cylinder 53. 55 continuously moves the precompression assembly upwardly until it is at the uppermost point olits path ol'travcl (elevation ol'the dotted line precompression lingers 58 shown in FIG. 4). The uppermost position of the precompression l'ingers is substantially the same as the point of entrance ol batt being conveyed into the loading chamber.

When a second batt olthe series 6711 passes the photoelectric eye 68. the piston-cylinder combinations 3!. 32 again moves the movable press plate downwardly by a distance substantially equal to the uncompressed height of the batt. Thus. the movable press plate assembly is indexed downwardly as each batt 67a is moved into a loading chamber and compresses the batts 67h. Since the movable press plate is moved down in steps (indexed) while the precompression assembly is moved upwardly in one continuous motion. the precompression assembly is moved to its uppermost position substantially prior to the time the movable press plate is moved downwardly to a level just above the top of the ram opening. Accordingly, in order to permit the movement of additional batts 67a into the loading chamber to be supportingly carried directly or indirectly on the movable press plate. the precompression lingers 58 are now retained in their retracted position. At the time the movable press plate has been moved down to have its bottom surface slightly below the top edge ol the opening 22 (load ejection position). after the movement ol the last batt 6741 into the loading chamber that actuated the controls to move the movable press plate to the ejection position. the motor 6! is automatically actuated to move the precompression lingers to an extended position to extend longitudinally across the loading chamber such as indicated by the upper dotted line position ol said lingers in FIG. 4. Additionally. the last mentioned actuation of the control 69 retains the movable press plate in the load ejection position (dotted line position of the movable press plate shown in FIG. 4) while at the same time automatically applying fluid under pressure to cylinder 25 for moving the ram 23 through the loading chamber to push the fully compressed batts 67h located between the movable press plate and the bottom press plate into the discharge chute 2] whereby the compressed batts 67/) are completely pushed out of the loading chamber. and thence move the ram back to its retractedposition shown retracted position FIG. 2. During this period of time the drive to the conveyor has been deactuated. However. upon the return of the ram to its datum posi tion and the movement of the compression lingers to their extended uppermost position. the controls then automatically actuate the drive to the conveyor to move a batt 67c of a series of uncompressed batts 67c into the loading chamber to fall onto the top surfaces of the precompression lingers (located vertically be tween the precompression lingers and the top of the loading chamber). As each batt 67tmoved into the loading chamber passes the photoelectric eye. hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied to cylinder 53 in amounts sullicient to index the precompression lingers vertically downwardly (direction of the arrow 72) by a distance substantially equal to the heighth ol' the uncompressed batt 671' while hydraulic fluid under pressure is applied to the movable press plate cylinders to index the movable press plate downwardly from its ejection position by about a distance of the heighth of said uncompressed batt 671*. It is to be noted that at this time the number of batts 67a located between the movable press plate and the precompression fingers is equal to one-halfol the total number of batts for a fully compressed load; and that there are not batts between the movable press plate and the bottom press plate. The last mentioned indexing movement of the precompression and movable press plates assemblies continues as additional batts 67c (less than a majority of batts 67c) are moved into the loading chamber above the precompression lingers until the movable press plate is moved into abutting or substantial abutting relationship with the bottom press plate (movable press plate in its lowermost position see FIG. 5). The movement of movable prcss plate to its lowermost position operates the controls to discontinue the application of fluid under pressure to the cylinders 31 and apply fluid under pressure to cylinders 47 for moving the piston rods 48 to their retracted positions and thereby withdraw the movable press plate from the loading chamber to its retracted position. Suitable retainer brackets (not shown) are mounted on the subframe 33 to prevent batts 66a on the movable press plate from being withdrawn from the loading chamber as the movable press plate moves out of the loading chamber. The movement of the movable press plate out of the loading chamber results in the controls discontinuing the application of fluid under pressure to the cylinders 47 but retaining fluid in the cylinders for holding the movable press plate in its retracted position. and upon the end of the retraction movement of the movable press plate. applying fluid under pressure to the cylinders 3| for moving the movable press plate assembly from its lowermost position to its uppermost position independent of the movement of additional batts 67c into the loading chamber. During the time the movable press plate is retracted from the loading chamber and moved vertically upward to its uppermost position additional batts 67: are moved into the loading chamber above the precompression fingers whereby the stepwise movement of the precompression fingers in a downward direction is continued. This last mentioned stepwise movement of the precomprcssing fingers results in the batts 67h that are located between the precompression fingers and the bottom press plate being compressed thercbetween. The movable press plate dwells in its uppermost retracted position while the precompression fingers are moved in the chamber to their lowermost position (position shown in FIG. 7).

At the time the proper number of batts 67c (desirably the same number as that of batts 6611) have been loaded onto the precompression lingers and the precompres sion fingers have been moved to their lowermost posi tion. the controls automatically apply hydraulic fluid under pressure to the appropriate ends of the cylinders 47 for extending the piston rods 48 and thereby move the movable press plate into the loading chamber to extend across the loading chamber at its maximum such as indicated in FIG. 7.

Now the next batt 67d moved by the photoelectric eye 68 actuates the controls for retaining the piston rods 47 in their extended position. and apply hydraulic fluid to the cylinders 31 to again start the indexing movement of the movable press assembly in a downward step by step movement as previously indicated. At the time the movable press plate has been moved to its extended position. the controls actuate the motor 61 for retracting the precompression fingers and upon the complete retraction of the precompression fingers. the last mentioned downward indexing movement of the movable press plate compresses the batts 6741. 67c between the movable press plate and the bottom press plate. This is the beginning of the second cycle of operation. the series of batts in the loading chamber (batts 67:1. 671') having been completely compressed at the time all of the batts 66d have been moved into the loading chamber and the movable press plate has again been moved down to its load ejection position. Desirably each of the uncompressed batts 66a. 6611. 66c. 66d are of substantially the same thickness and the number of batts 661! is equal to the number of batts 6611.

In accordance with the method of operation described herein. at the time the movable press plate is being moved upwardly, additional batts are still being moved into the loading chamber; and similarly. when the precompression fingers are moved upwardly. additional batts are continuously being loaded into the ioading chamber. Also as each of the movable press plate and the precompression fingers moves down wardly batts are being conveyed into the loading chamber. As a result. a faster mode of operation is achieved than if no provision were made for the loading batts onto the top of the movable press plate. Further. twice the number of batts can be compressed into a single load than if the precompression finger assembly had not been provided.

It is to be mentioned that the structure for mounting the precompression fingers and movable press plate for both reciprocal and vertical movement. and the structure of the ram assembly may be varied considerably from that set forth herein. the particular structure being described merely to facilitate the description of (all the method of the prcfcrrably Further. preferably the loading chamber extends predomincntly vertically. but is slanted rearwardly in an upwardly direction a slight amount to minimize any tendency for batts in the loading chamber toppling forwardly out of the front opening of the chamber.

Also. even though the power means for vertically rcciprocating the precompression finger assembly 52 and the movable press plate assembly 30. and moving the ram 23 and press plate 45 between their extended and retracted positions, has been set forth as being piston cylinder combinations. it is to be understood other suitable drive means maybe used. for example. air or other type motors. driven screws and etc. Likewise. even though the power means for moving the prccompres sion lingers between their extended and retracted positions has been set forth as a motor 6] it is to be understood that other suitable drive means may be used. for example piston cylinder combinations. driven screws and etc.

The product of each of the batts may be felt. foam rubber. wool. fiberglass. excclsior. rock wool. cotton. etc. Usually. each of the uncompressed batts is of a height many times smaller than its width and length dimensions.

What is claimed is:

I. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining one end of the chamber. a frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber. a movable press plate and precompression lingers. comprising extending the press plate into the chamber between the first plate and the frame portion at a location substantially more closely adjacent the frame portion than the first plate. conveying a first plurality of uncompressed batts. one after the other. into the loading chamber between the frame portion and the press plate extending in the chamber while moving the press plate toward the first plate. thence extending the precompression fingers into the chamber between the frame portion and the first plate at a location more closely adjacent the frame portion than the first plate and opposite the first plurality of batts from the first piatc. conveying a second plurality of uncompressed batts. one after another, into the loading chamber between the precompression fingers extended into the chamber and the frame portion while moving the precompression fingers toward the first plate to pre compress the first plurality of batts. prior to the completion of the loading of the second plurality of batts. retracting the press plate from the loading chamber. extending the movable press plate into the loading chamber between the second plurality of batts and the frame portion after the second plurality of batts have been conveyed into the chamber. conveying a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber between the frame portion. and the press plate and the second plurality of batts while moving the press plate toward the first plate to fully compress the first and second plurality of batts. after the first and second plurality of batts have been fully compressed between the first plate and press plate. stopping the movement of the press plate toward the first plate and then ejecting the fully compressed first and second plurality of batts from the loading chamber. and retracting the precompression fingers from the loading chamber prior to the ejection step and subsequent to the last mentioned extension of the press plate into the loading chamber.

2. The method of claim I further characterized in the steps of moving both the press plate and the precompression fingers toward the first plate with the third plurality of batts thercbetween after the ejection step, and after the press plate is closely adjacent the first plate. retracting the press plate from the chamber while continuing the movement of the precompression lingers in the chamber toward the first plate to precompress the third plurality of batts thercbetween.

3. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the movement of each of the precompression tingers and press plate respectively in the chamber toward the first plate is an indexing movement of a distance about the same as the height of an uncompresseed batt and is initiated as each batt is conveyed adjacent the chamber to be moved therein.

4. The method of claim I further characterized in that the movement of the press plate when extended in the chamber is predominently in a downward direction and that the first batt of the first plurality of batts conveyed into the chamber is supportingly carried by the press plate between the time of the first mentioned extension thereof into the chamber and the first retraction thereof from the chamber.

5. The method of claim I further characterized in that each of the first. second and third plurality of batts are of an equal number of batts.

6. The method of claim I further characterized in that the minimum spacing of the precompression fingers from the first plate during the movement ofthe fingers in the chamber toward the first plate is substantially greater than the spacing of the press plate from the first plate when it is stopped for the ejection step.

7. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the first mentioned retraction of the press plate from the chamber after the first plurality of batts has been conveyed into the chamber is subsequent to the eonveyence of at least one of the second plurality of batts into the chamber.

8. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that after the press plate and precompression lingers in the loading chamber moving toward the first plate have been respectively retracted from the loading chamber. said fingers and press plate are returned in one continuous movement to relative locations that they are extended into the loading chamber to move toward the first plate.

9. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end of the chamber. a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber. a movable press plate and precompression fingers. comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts. one after the other. into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber; moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate, and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom; extending the precompression fingers into the loading chamber between the second plurality of batts and the frame portion after the second plurality of batts has been loaded into the chamber. and thence loading a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber between the precompression fingers and the top frame portion and moving the precompression fingers downwardly in the chamber as the third plurality of batts is moved into the loading chamber.

10. The method of claim 9 further characterized in that after most of the second plurality of batts have been moved into the loading chamber and prior to the completion of the loading of the third plurality of batts into the loading chamber. the above mentioned downwardly movement of the press plate in the chamber includes moving the press plate downwardly to a load ejection position a preselected distance above the chamber bottom that the first plurality of batts is fully compressed. and after the movement to the ejection position, mechanically ejecting the fully compressed plurality of batts from the loading chamber.

11. The method of claim 10 further characterized in that after the ejection step. withdrawing the press plate from the loading chamber. moving the press plate upwardly out of the loading chamber. and then moving the press plate into the loading chamber between the third plurality of batts and the top frame portion after the completion of the loading of the third plurality of batts into the chamber.

12. The method of claim ll further characterized in that the above mentioned movement of the press plate upwardly is during the interval of time of the above mentioned movement of the precompression lingers downwardly in the chamber.

13. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end ofthe chamber. a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber. a movable press plate and precompression fingers, comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts. one after the other. into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber; moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate, and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom; stopping the downward movement of the press plate in the chamber a preselected distance from the chamber bottom. and while the downward movement is stopped, ejecting the second plurality of batts from the loading chamber.

l4. The method of claim 13 further characterized in moving the precompression lingers into the loading chamber at a location more closely adjacent the top frame portion than the chamber bottom after the first plurality of batts have been loaded onto the press plate and prior to the completion of the ejection step.

15. The method of claim 14 further characterized in loading a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber onto the precompression fingers between the precompression fingers and the top frame portion to be supported by said fingers after said fingers have been moved into the chamber. and moving the precompression fingers toward the chamber bottom as the third plurality of batts is loaded thereon.

16. The method of claim 15 further characterized in that after the completion of the ejection step and during the period of movement of the precompression fingers in the chamber toward the chamber bottom. re-

starting the movement of the press plate in the chamber toward the chamber bottom. then continuing the downward movement of the press plate until it is closely adjacent the chamber bottom. and thereafter. while the third plurality of batts is being loaded into the chamber. retract the press plate from the chamber so that the second plurality of batts is supported on the chamber bottom and is precompressed between the precompression fingers and the chamber bottom as the precompression fingers have the third plurality of batts loaded thereon.

17. The method of claim 16 further characterized in moving the press plate into the loading chamber between third plurality of batts and the top frame portion after the completion of the loading ofthe third plurality of batts into the loading chamber. and thence moving the press plate toward the chamber bottom.

18. The method of claim 17 further characterized in retracting the precompression fingers from the loading chamber after the fingers have been moved to a preselected distance from the chamber bottom and after the last mentioned movement of the press plate into the chamber whereby further downward movement of the press plate in the chamber compresses the second and third series of batts between the press plate and chamber bottom.

19. The method of claim 18 further characterized in loading a fourth plurality of batts into the loading chamber on the top of the press plate after the last mentioned movement of the press plate into the loading chamber and while the press plate is moved toward the chamber bottom.

20. The method of claim 18 further characterized in that the downwardly movement of the precompression fingers and the press plate respectively in the chamber is in increments and is automatically initiated in a step by step manner by the movement of a batt into the loading chamber.

2t. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom of the chamber. a top frame portion defining the top end of the chamber. a movable press plate and movable precompression fingers. comprising load ing a first and second plurality of batts into the loading chamber. extending the press plate across the loading chamber between the first and second plurality of batts and the frame portion at a location adjacent the frame portion and downwardly spaced therefrom a distance great enough for an uncompressed batt to be loaded thereon, conveying a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber. one after another. onto the top of the press plate to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the press plate downwardly about one uncompressed batt thickness for each batt conveyed into the chamber to receive each of the third plurality of batts and compress the first and second plurality of batts between the chamber bottom and the press plate. ejecting the thus compressed first and second plurality of batts from the loading chamber; after the completion of the loading of the third plurality of bales onto the press plate. extending the prccompression fingers across the loading chamber between the third plurality of batts and the frame portion and positioning the fingers suffi ciently below the frame portion for an uncompressed batt being loaded into chamber between the fingers and the frame portion. moving a fourth plurality of batts one after another. into the loading chambers and onto the precompression fingers between the fingers and the frame portion to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the fingers downwardly about one uncompressed batt thickness for each of the fourth batts conveyed into the chamber. retracting the press plate from the chamber and then moving the press plate upwardly exterior of the loading chamber prior to the completion ofthe loading of the fourth plurality of batts; after the completion of the loading of the fourth plurality of batts. moving the press plate to extend across the load ing chamber between the fourth plurality of batts and the frame portion and thence move the press plate downwardly in the chamber. and after the last mentioned extension of the press plate across the chamber. retracting the precompression lingers from the cham her and moving the precompression fingers upwardly exterior of the chamber to a location adjacent the top of the chamber.

22. The method of claim Zl further characterized in that prior to the ejection of the first and second plurality of batts. the downward movement of the press plate is stopped at a distance the first and second plurality of batts are fully compressed. that the batts are mechanically ejected while the press plate is thus stopped. and after the ejection. index the press plate downwardly, the last mentioned indexing downwardly being prior to a major of the fourth plurality of batts are loaded onto the precompression fingers.

23. The method of claim 20 further characterized in that the above mentioned indexing movement of the fingers downwardly is terminated at a distance from the chamber bottom substantially greater than the distance of the press plate from the chamber bottom when the press plate is stopped.

24. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end ofthe chamber. a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber. a movable press plate and precompression fingers. comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts. one after the other. into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber. moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate. and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom. the press plate moving step comprising indexing the press plate downwardly in step by step fashion about a distance equal to the height of each batt in timed relationship to the movement of each of the first plurality of batts into the loading chamber. 

1. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining one end of the chamber, a frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber, a movable press plate and precompression fingers, comprising extending the press plate into the chamber between the first plate and the frame portion at a location substantially more closely adjacent the frame portion than the first plate, conveying a first plurality of uncompressed batts, one after the other, into the loading chamber between the frame portion and the press plate extending in the chamber while moving the press plate toward the first plate, thence extending the precompression fingers into the chamber between the frame portion and the first plate at a location more closely adjacent the frame portion than the first plate and opposite the first plurality of batts from the first plate, conveying a second plurality of uncompressed batts, one after another, into the loading chamber between the precompression fingers extended into the chamber and the frame portion while moving the precompression fingers toward the first plate to precompress the first plurality of batts, prior to the completion of the loading of the second plurality of batts, retracting the press plate from the loading chamber, extending the movable press plate into the loading chamber between the second plurality of batts and the frame portion after the second plurality of batts have been conveyed into the chamber, conveying a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber between the frame portion, and the press plate and the second plurality of batts while moving the press plate toward the first plate to fully compress the first and second plurality of batts, after the first and second plurality of batts have been fully compressed between the first plate and press plate, stopping the movement of the press plate toward the first plate and then ejecting the fully compressed first and second plurality of batts from the loading chamber, and retracting the precompression fingers from the loading chamber prior to the ejection step and subsequent to the last mentioned extension of the press plate into the loading chamber.
 2. The method of claim 1 further characterized in the steps of moving both the press plate and the precompression fingers toward the first plate with the third plurality of batts therebetween after the ejection step, and after the press plate is closely adjacent the first plate, retracting the press plate from the chamber while continuing the movement of the precompression fingers in the chamber toward the first plate to precompress the third plurality of batts therebetween.
 3. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the movement of each of the precompression fingers and press plate respectively in the chamber toward the first plate is an indexing movement of a distance about the same as the height of an uncompresseed batt and is initiated as each batt is conveyed adjacent the chamber to be moved therein.
 4. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the movement of the press plate when extended in the chamber is predominently in a downward direction and that the first batt of the first plurality of batts conveyed into the chamber is supportingly carried by the press plate between the time of the first mentioned extension thereof into the chamber and the first retraction thereof from the chamber.
 5. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that each of the first, second and third plurality of batts are of an equal number of batts.
 6. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the minimum spacing of the precompression fingers from the first plate during the movement of the fingers in the chamber toward the first plate is substantially greater than the spacing of the press plate from the first plate when it is stopped for the ejection step.
 7. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that the first mentioned retraction of the press plate from the chamber after the first plurality of batts has been conveyed into the chamber is subsequent to the conveyence of at least one of the second plurality of batts into the chamber.
 8. The method of claim 1 further characterized in that after the press plate and precompression fingers in the loading chamber moving toward the first plate have been respectively retracted from the loading chamber, said fingers and press plate are returned in one continuous movement to relative locations that they are extended into the loading chamber to move toward the first plate.
 9. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end of the chamber, a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber, a movable press plate and precompression fingers, comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts, one after the other, into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber; moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate, and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom; extending the precompression fingers into the loading chamber between the second plurality of batts and the frame portion after the second plurality of batts has been loaded into the chamber, and thence loading a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber between the precompression fingers and the top frame portion and moving the precompression fingers downwardly in the chamber as the third plurality of batts is moved into the loading chamber.
 10. The method of claim 9 further characterized in that after most of the second plurality of batts have been moved into the loading chamber and prior to the completion of the loading of the third plurality of batts into the loading chamber, the above mentioned downwardly movement of the press plate in the chamber includes moving the press plate downwardly to a load ejection position a preselected distance above the chamber bottom that the first plurality of batts is fully compressed, and after the movement to the ejection position, mechanically ejecting the fully compressed plurality of batts from the loading chamber.
 11. The method of claim 10 further characterized in that after the ejection step, withdrawing the press plate from the loading chamber, moving the press plate upwardly out of the loading chamber, and then moving the press plate into the loading chamber between the third plurality of batts and the top frame portion after the completion of the loading of the third plurality of batts into the chamber.
 12. The method of claim 11 further characterized in that the above mentioned movement of the press plate upwardly is during the interval of time of the above mentioned movement of the precompression fingers downwardly in the chamber.
 13. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end of the chamber, a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber, a movable press plate and precompression fingers, comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts, one after the other, into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber; moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate, and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom; stopping the downward movement of the press plate in the chamber a preselected distance from the chamber bottom, and while the downward movement is stopped, ejecting the second plurality of batts from the loading chamber.
 14. The method of claim 13 further characterized in moving the precompression fingers into the loading chamber at a location more closely adjacent the top frame portion than the chamber bottom after the first plurality of batts have been loaded onto the press plate and prior to the completion of the ejection step.
 15. The method of claim 14 further characterized in loading a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber onto the precompression fingers between the precompression fingers and the top frame portion to be supported by said fingers after said fingers have been moved into the chamber, and moving the precompression fingers toward the chamber bottom as the third plurality of batts is loaded thereon.
 16. The method of claim 15 further characterized in that after the completion of the ejection step and during the period of movement of the precompression fingers in the chamber toward the chamber bottom, restarting the movement of the press plate in the chamber toward the chamber bottom, then continuing the downward movement of the press plate until it is closely adjacent the chamber bottom, and thereafter, while the third plurality of batts is being loaded into the chamber, retract the press plate from the chamber so that the second plurality of batts is supported on the chamber bottom and is precompressed between the precompression fingers and the chamber bottom as the precompression fingers have the third plurality of batts loaded thereon.
 17. The method of claim 16 further characterized in moving the press plate into the loading chamber between third plurality of batts and the top frame portion after the completion of the loading of the third plurality of batts into the loading chamber, and thence moving the press plate toward the chamber bottom.
 18. The method of claim 17 further characterized in retracting the precompression fingers from the loading chamber after the fingers have been moved to a preselected distance from the chamber bottom and after the last mentioned movement of the press plate into the chamber whereby further downward movement of the press plate in the chamber compresses the second and third series of batts between the press plate and chamber bottom.
 19. The method of claim 18 further characterized in loading a fourth plurality of batts into the loading chamber on the top of the press plate after the last mentioned movement of the press plate into the loading chamber and while the press plate is moved toward the chamber bottom.
 20. The method of claim 18 further characterized in that the downwardly movement of the precompression fingers and the press plate respectively in the chamber is in increments and is automatically initiated in a step by step manner by the movement of a batt into the loading chamber.
 21. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom of the chamber, a top frame portion defining the top end of the chamber, a movable press plate and movable precompression fingers, comprising loading a first and second plurality of batts into the loading chamber, extending the press plate across the loading chamber between the first and second plurality of batts and the frame portion at a location adjacent the frame portion and downwardly spaced therefrom a distance great enough for an uncompressed batt to be loaded thereon, conveying a third plurality of batts into the loading chamber, one after another, onto the top of the press plate to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the press plate downwardly about one uncompressed batt thickness for each batt conveyed into the chamber to receive each of the third plurality of batts and compress the first and secOnd plurality of batts between the chamber bottom and the press plate, ejecting the thus compressed first and second plurality of batts from the loading chamber; after the completion of the loading of the third plurality of bales onto the press plate, extending the precompression fingers across the loading chamber between the third plurality of batts and the frame portion and positioning the fingers sufficiently below the frame portion for an uncompressed batt being loaded into chamber between the fingers and the frame portion, moving a fourth plurality of batts one after another, into the loading chambers and onto the precompression fingers between the fingers and the frame portion to be supportingly carried thereby while indexing the fingers downwardly about one uncompressed batt thickness for each of the fourth batts conveyed into the chamber, retracting the press plate from the chamber and then moving the press plate upwardly exterior of the loading chamber prior to the completion of the loading of the fourth plurality of batts; after the completion of the loading of the fourth plurality of batts, moving the press plate to extend across the loading chamber between the fourth plurality of batts and the frame portion and thence move the press plate downwardly in the chamber, and after the last mentioned extension of the press plate across the chamber, retracting the precompression fingers from the chamber and moving the precompression fingers upwardly exterior of the chamber to a location adjacent the top of the chamber.
 22. The method of claim 21 further characterized in that prior to the ejection of the first and second plurality of batts, the downward movement of the press plate is stopped at a distance the first and second plurality of batts are fully compressed, that the batts are mechanically ejected while the press plate is thus stopped, and after the ejection, index the press plate downwardly, the last mentioned indexing downwardly being prior to a major of the fourth plurality of batts are loaded onto the precompression fingers.
 23. The method of claim 20 further characterized in that the above mentioned indexing movement of the fingers downwardly is terminated at a distance from the chamber bottom substantially greater than the distance of the press plate from the chamber bottom when the press plate is stopped.
 24. In the method of compressing a plurality of batts into a bale load in a generally vertical loading chamber of a compression packer having a first plate defining the bottom end of the chamber, a top frame portion defining the opposite end of the chamber, a movable press plate and precompression fingers, comprising successively loading a first plurality of batts, one after the other, into the loading chamber on top of the press plate with the press plate extended in the chamber, moving the press plate from adjacent the frame portion downwardly toward the chamber bottom as the first plurality of batts is being loaded onto the press plate, and at the same time compressing a second plurality of batts between the bottom of the press plate and the chamber bottom, the press plate moving step comprising indexing the press plate downwardly in step by step fashion about a distance equal to the height of each batt in timed relationship to the movement of each of the first plurality of batts into the loading chamber. 